Ryan Zimmerman played in his first extended spring training game since undergoing surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle. Zimmerman went 0-for-3 with a walk and played three innings at third base without having a ball hit in his direction.

Zimmerman is slated to take tomorrow off, then play again Friday. Within the next week-to-10 days, he should depart Viera and go on a brief rehab assignment with one of the Nationals’ minor-league affiliates before coming off the disabled list. …

Chien-Ming Wang, meanwhile, appears to be on the verge of leaving Viera at long last. Wang is slated to pitch in an extended spring game Saturday in Kissimmee against the Astros, his 10th appearance in one of those games this year, then finally head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

This would be the first time the right-hander pitches in an actual, regular-season game as a member of the Nationals organization since signing with them in February 2010. As a pitcher, Wang will be allowed to spend no more than 30 days on a rehab assignment before he must be activated off the DL or shut down.

Hagerstown is at home through 6/7. Potomac starts a 2 week homestand on 6/6. I am fairly sure that Harper moves up on or about 6/6 for his next assignment. Potomac can have Zim and Harper in the middle of their lineup for 3 or 4 games. Nice treat for the fans.

Don't know about that JD: Sally All Star game is in late June (21st?), and I wouldn't be surprised if they want him to stick around for the event in Salisbury. And I think Coach Silber would love to see this strung out.

Mark Zuckerman said…As a pitcher, Wang will be allowed to spend no more than 30 days on a rehab assignment before he must be activated off the DL or shut down.__________________________________I think I know what this means in theory but to be clear, if Wang goes on June 10th to Harriburg, does he have to be called up to Washington on or before July 10th or be shut down for the remainder of the season?

I've always hoped to see C. Wang at Nats Park so that former Virginia Tech lineman Eugene Chung could attend Wang Chung Night.P.S. To wiseguy Drew13. My name IS Drew. I happened to be the eighth "Drew" to register at WP. Hence the handle. Some of us don't change our monikers like we change our clothes.Thus endeth the Philadelphia Philippic.

Just thinking through this logically (although, I could very well be wrong), after his 30-day rehab, we just have to assume that Wang is like any other player on the 40-man roster. Except, he has a Major League contract (I think), so he either has to be in the Major Leagues are get optioned. I would assume he is out of options at this point, so he would have to be DFAed and clear waivers to be sent down? Or, maybe he just has to clear waivers with no DFA necessary. Am I close, Mark?